Overview
Shanghai is China's largest city and financial powerhouse, where 1920s waterfront buildings face a futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River. For UK travellers it works as a standalone city break or a springboard for the rest of China. It's a long-haul trip, so plan early and check the price charts on this page to see how fares move through the year.
Best time to fly to Shanghai
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Spring (late March to May) and autumn (September to early November) are the most comfortable months, with mild days and clearer skies. Summer is hot and humid with a wet spell in June, and winters are cold, grey and damp rather than snowy. Flights are busiest and priciest around Chinese New Year (late January or February) and Golden Week in early October — the When to book chart above shows how fares climb around these dates.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and China Eastern have operated non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong, taking roughly 11 to 12 hours eastbound and a little longer coming home. There are no direct flights from regional UK airports, so travellers from Manchester, Birmingham or Scotland usually connect through a hub such as Amsterdam (KLM), Helsinki (Finnair), Dubai (Emirates) or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). Allow around 14 to 18 hours in total for a one-stop journey.
Things to do in Shanghai
A few days only scratch the surface, but these are the highlights most first-time visitors plan around:
- The Bund: Riverside promenade of grand colonial-era buildings, best when Pudong lights up at dusk.
- Yu Garden: A restored Ming-dynasty garden of pavilions and rockeries beside a busy Old City bazaar.
- Lujiazui skyline: Ride to the top of the Shanghai Tower or World Financial Center for dizzying views.
- Former French Concession: Leafy plane-tree streets full of boutiques, cafes and 1920s villas.
- Shanghai Museum: A world-class collection of bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy on People's Square.
At Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Direct flights from the UK land at Pudong, about 30 km east of the centre. The quickest way in is the Maglev to Longyang Road — about eight minutes at up to 300 km/h — then metro Line 2, which also runs directly from the airport into town in around an hour. A taxi takes 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic. Some regional and domestic flights use the smaller Hongqiao Airport (SHA) west of the city.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Shanghai
- Book roughly two to four months ahead for the best choice on non-stop fares; last-minute long-haul rarely pays off.
- Fly midweek and in the spring or autumn shoulder seasons, avoiding Chinese New Year, Golden Week and UK school holidays.
- Compare one-stop European or Gulf carriers with the non-stop, and use flexible-date search to spot cheaper days either side of your trip.
- Check the price charts on this page and set a fare alert so you are ready when a good deal appears.
Travel essentials
Most UK passport holders can currently enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days under a trial scheme — always confirm the latest rules and your passport validity before booking. The currency is the Chinese yuan (renminbi). Mobile payment via Alipay or WeChat Pay is the norm and both now accept overseas cards, so set one up before you fly and carry some cash as backup. No vaccinations are required, tap water is not safe to drink, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
